Sanjay Gurunathan joins GSK to lead vaccine and infectious disease R&D

UK – Dr. Sanjay Gurunathan has left Sanofi after nearly 25 years to take on a new leadership role at GSK, where he will oversee vaccine and infectious disease research and development.

Based in Boston, Gurunathan will report to GSK’s Chief Scientific Officer, Tony Wood, according to a company spokesperson.

Gurunathan built his career at Sanofi Vaccines, joining in 2000 and eventually rising to serve as global head of development and life cycle management portfolio strategy.

Over the years, he has played a key role in more than 20 regulatory approvals and has led eight multinational phase 3 clinical trials, as noted on his LinkedIn profile.

Welcoming him to the team, Tony Wood stated in a LinkedIn post: “Sanjay’s expertise in vaccine development, life cycle innovation, and portfolio strategy will greatly benefit our R&D efforts.”

Filling a key role at GSK

Gurunathan steps into a position previously held by Dr. Phil Dormitzer, who left GSK at the end of last year to start a vaccine and biologics R&D consulting company.

Before joining GSK in 2021, Dormitzer had served as Chief Scientific Officer of RNA and viral vaccines at Pfizer.

At GSK, Gurunathan will lead innovation across the company’s vaccines and infectious diseases pipeline, including bepirovirsen, a late-stage treatment for hepatitis B.

This antisense oligonucleotide therapy was initially licensed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals in 2019 and has received fast-track designation from the FDA.

Industry challenges and leadership shifts

Gurunathan’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for vaccine development, as the industry faces misinformation campaigns and federal budget cuts impacting public health programs.

GSK’s RSV vaccine, Arexvy, recently experienced sales setbacks after the CDC recommended limiting its use to people aged 75 and older, as well as high-risk individuals over 60.

However, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has now proposed expanding the eligibility criteria, pending final approval from the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services.

His move also adds to the ongoing leadership shake-ups in the biopharma industry. Earlier this year, Dr. Christopher Corsico, former senior vice president and global head of development at GSK, left for Sanofi, where he now serves as global head of development.

As Gurunathan transitions to his new role, GSK aims to reinforce its leadership in vaccine innovation, ensuring continued advancements in the treatment of infectious diseases.